Great Books Guide: for 6 to 7 year olds
Here's a round-up of new children's books from the last year (2019), which we think any child aged 6 to 7 years will love. We definitely do!
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Sportopedia: An Illustrated Guide to the World of Sport
Author: Adam Skinner Illustrator: Mark Long
Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions
Interest age: 6-10
Reading age: 7+A luxurious compendium of all things sporty, featuring both well-known and less popular games and activities with plenty of fascinating facts.
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Hotel Flamingo
Author: Alex Milway
Publisher: Piccadilly Press
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+Anna is determined to bring back grandeur to Hotel Flamingo, so it can once again be full of sunshine and life. Hotel Flamingo is a sweet story of working together, being optimistic and knowing anything is possible.
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The Clue is in the Poo and Other Stuff Too
Author: Andy Seed Illustrator: Claire Almon
Publisher: Quarto Publishing
Interest age: 6-10
Reading age: 7+Packed full of fascinating facts and flashes of humour, this non-fiction picture book encourages children to become wildlife detectives. Ideal for any animal enthusiast, this would also be a useful addition to the classroom for use on wildlife projects.
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Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea!
Author: Ben Clanton
Publisher: Egmont
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+Narwhal is a happy-go-lucky sea creature whose amazing horn-like tooth on his forehead earns him the nickname "unicorn of the sea". When he meets a jellyfish, they become firm friends. A quirky chapter book with a mixture of fun facts and nonsense stories.
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The Questioneers: Rosie Revere and the Raucous Riveters
Author: Andrea Beatty Illustrator: David Roberts
Publisher: Amulet Books
Interest age: 6-9
Reading age: 8+The character of Rosie Revere, engineer, makes her transition from picture book to early reader chapter book in a suitably messy and lively story about building a painting machine for an accident-prone artist.
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Grobblechops
Author: Elizabeth Laird Illustrator: Jenny Lucander
Publisher: Tiny Owl
Interest age: 3-5
A stunningly illustrated reworking of a classic "monster under the bed" story, which helps defuse the fear for the next generation of youngsters.
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Laura Norder: Sheriff of Butts Canyon
Author: Guy Bass Illustrator: Steve May
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+This easy-to-read story is full of brilliant cowboy slogans and Wild West atmosphere, but at heart it’s really a story about what happens when we impose too many rules on others, denying them the freedom to make decisions – and mistakes – for themselves.
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Super Cats
Author: Gwyneth Rees Illustrator: Becka Moor
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 7+Tabby kitten, Tagg, is astounded to learn that he is a Super Cat, just like his parents. He must use his newfound superpowers to help rescue several missing cats. An amusing, action-packed adventure.
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Armadillo and Hare
Author: Jeremy Strong Illustrator: Rebecca Bagley
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Interest age: 4-8
Reading age: 6+In this adorable collection of ten short stories, friends Armadillo and Hare meet other animals in a variety of encounters that centre on the importance of small things. Full of gentle humour and philosophy, reminiscent of Winnie the Pooh.
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A Year of Nature Poems
Author: Joseph Coelho Illustrator: Kelly Louise Judd
Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+This beautifully illustrated portrait of one year in nature is put together by poet Joseph Coelho, with each month assigned a relevant and resonant poem. It reassuringly shows that emotions come and go, like the seasons – and the bad times always pass.
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Evil Emperor Penguin (Almost) Takes Over the World!
Author: Laura Ellen Anderson
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+Laura Ellen Anderson’s tremendously funny comic about the enthusiastic, caustic and thoroughly unsuccessful megalomaniac penguin is hugely popular for a good reason: it’s hilarious for adults and children and a great way to inspire kids to read.
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Ellie and the Cat
Author: Malorie Blackman Illustrator: Matt Robertson
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 6+Ellie gets magically swapped into the body of her pet cat, Jolly. In order to become human again, Ellie must complete a special task before sunset the next day. A magical and gently comic tale of friendship and thinking of others.
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Hello Lighthouse
Author: Sophie Blackall
Publisher: Orchard Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+Sophie Blackall won the Caldecott Medal in the US for Hello Lighthouse and it’s easy to see why. Her artwork is stunning in this lovely book about the passing of time, which children will pore over, caught up in its magic.
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Fanatical About Frogs
Author: Owen Davey
Publisher: Flying Eye
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 7+The fifth in Owen Davey’s wonderful non-fiction series about animals adds frogs to the ranks of clear, fascinating reads, accompanied by truly amazing graphic illustration and just the right level of information to inspire all primary school kids.
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Two Sides
Author: Polly Ho-Yen Illustrator: Binny Talib
Publisher: Stripes
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 7+Lula and Lenka are the best of friends until they have an argument and neither will say sorry. Will they ever manage to make up? Polly Ho-Yen beautifully explores the complexity of friendships and learning that there are always two sides of a story.
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How to Make Friends with a Ghost
Author: Rebecca Green
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 5-8
Reading age: 6+It might feel scary to imagine being friends with a ghost – but what if ghosts were quite sweet, really? A delightful how-to guide to ghosts, with some beautiful, retro illustration and plenty of funny details. Plus, Rebecca Green's little ghost is adorable!
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Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History
Author: Vashti Harrison
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 6-10
Reading age: 8+This beautiful and profound book chronicles the struggles and achievements of historic and contemporary black women. Not just for girls, this is an inspiring book for any child as it shows how determination, ambition and hard work can bring important change.
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The Legend of Kevin
Author: Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Interest age: 7-9
Reading age: 7+Max longs for adventure in his life – then one day, a flying pony called Kevin crashes into his flat, blown in by a magical storm. Mayhem, friendship and a brilliant cast of characters combine in this fabulously funny tale.
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Level Up!
Author: Tom Nicoll Illustrator: Anjan Sarkar
Publisher: Stripes Publishing
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+A fun and mildly scary virtual romp through a computer game packed with space paraphernalia and gadgetry. Entertaining black-and-white illustrations add atmosphere and more than a few laughs.
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Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: The Aliens Are Coming!
Author: Tracey Corderoy Illustrator: Steven Lenton
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+Dog chefs Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam are keeping very busy in these three action-packed stories. These stories are fantastic fun for new readers and anyone looking for a jolly read with a little bit of mystery and some lovable characters.
